"Alternative Medicine" refers to those treatments that are not usually prescribed by doctors in the United States. This includes acupuncture, spinal manipulation and herbal remedies. Patients often use these in addition to those treatments prescribed by their primary health care provider. As medications often have side effects and they may not work for a particular health problem, older adults may become frustrated. They may seek out complementary and alternative treatments to help them. This series will discuss the most common complementary and alternative treatments that older adults have wanted to learn more about.